About One More Step Travels
“If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest from home I’ve ever been.”
- Samwise Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Inspiration
The quote above has always inspired me.
Sam spoke it as he took his first step out of the comfort of The Shire and into a world he had only heard tales of. I imagine he felt how I feel when I step onto a plane heading towards a new land—apprehensive, already longing for the familiarity of home, hoping the journey will be for the better.
I realize my travels won’t lead me on a journey to destroy an evil ring (although I have visited Mount Doom), but I find connections from the story of Sam to my own adventures. My journey leads me to exotic lands and foreign citizens, sights that take my breath away, and ultimately some incredible experiences and some experiences that I wish I didn’t have to go through, but I pushed through the discomfort anyway.
That’s just what travel does to people. And it’s worth every step!
My Mission: I share my travel experiences in hopes of inspiring others to discover and embrace sensational experiences that can be found in every step away from home.
My Vision: To be an example of responsible travel, emphasizing the beauty of nature, as well as the different cultures throughout the world. I hope to teach you how to create a trip that will fill your senses—with food, colorful sights, cultural immersion, bustling cities, and all the exciting things that come with travel!
My Motto: Plan sensational experiences away from home.
I’m McKenna, the travel writer.
I love to explore new places, enjoy time in nature, and hit all the must see landmarks in an area. I search for experiences that fill my senses, like hiking, getting lost in a new city, and riding roller coasters.
Fun fact: my favorite things to collect from my travels are thimbles.
Growing up in a family of eight, my travel was limited to staycations in Utah, trips to Disneyland, and visits to my relatives in California. I loved sharing those experiences with my family, but I’ve always thirsted for new sights.
I’m now on a quest to find adventures throughout the world. I have been to 11 countries outside the United States (and counting!) and am making my way to all U.S. states and national parks.
While studying tourism/geography in college, I worked for the local tourism bureau as a destination marketer, gaining many skills that helped me feel confident in starting my own travel blog. I’ve been a park ranger at a state park in Georgia, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park. I’ve also had a short stint at Disney World and love working in the tourism industry!
Since accomplishing the 52-Hike Challenge in 2020 (when I started this blog), I have focused many of my adventures exploring the outdoors and have hiked hundreds of miles in dozens of places, prompting me to start a Hiking Tips section.
I write to inspire, educate, and help others create memories. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures and that it provides you with the tools to step out your door and discover your own adventures, locally or in a distant land!